Axis-Shield , the British medical diagnostics firm fighting a hostile takeover by larger U.S. rival Alere Inc , said U.S. health regulators cleared a new version of its test that detects rheumatoid arthritis. In a statement, Axis-Shield said its anti-CCP ELISA kit had been cleared for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Axis-Shield’s anti-CCP test contributed 2.3 million pounds to the company’s overall sales in the first half of 2011. Axis-Shield rejected a 230-million-pound ($375.4 million) approach from Alere in July. Alere, which has bought more than 9 percent of the company’s stock, took the offer directly to Axis-Shield shareholders earlier this month.
